Achieve — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈchēv/

Meaning & Definition of Achieve

Achieve (verb)

  1. to succeed at reaching or accomplishing (a goal, result, etc.) especially through effort
  2. to reach or bring about a desired end or goal, to become successful

Achieve (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to obtain (as a goal) through effort

    "finally achieved stardom"

    similar: attain, bag, chalk up, clock (up) (chiefly British), gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), rack up, ring up, score, win
    related: acquire, capture, carry, draw, garner, get, land, obtain, procure, realize, secure, amount (to), approach, equal, match, measure up (to), meet, rival, tie, touch, beat, excel, outdo, surpass, top
    near: fall short (of), miss, fail (at), lose

  2. to carry through (as a process) to completion

    "finally achieved his purpose, which was to form a first-class boys' choir made up of inner-city kids"

    similar: accomplish, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill, make, negotiate, perform, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through, go through
    related: bring about, effect, effectuate, implement, ace, nail, engage (in), practice, work (at), reduplicate, reenact, repeat, actualize, attain, realize, complete, end, finish, wind up
    near: fail, skimp, slight, slur

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Achieve

The most common words with a similar meaning to Achieve:

Chiefly British: clock (up)
attain, bag, chalk up, gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), rack up, ring up, score, win, accomplish, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill, negotiate, perform, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through, go through

Related Words for Achieve

acquire, capture, carry, draw, garner, get, land, obtain, procure, realize, secure, amount (to), approach, equal, match, measure up (to), meet, rival, tie, touch, beat, excel, outdo, surpass, top, bring about, effect, effectuate, implement, ace

Near Antonyms of Achieve

fall short (of), miss, fail (at), lose, fail, skimp, slight, slur

Word Forms of Achieve

Inflections: achieved, achieving, achieves

Derived words: achievable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Achieve

Middle English acheven, borrowed from Anglo-French achever "to complete, carry out, succeed," from a-, prefix forming telic and transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -chever, verbal derivative from chef, chief "end, head" chief:3

First known use: 14th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Achieve

Words & Phrases Containing Achieve

achieve/reach an understanding

Frequently Asked Questions about Achieve

What does "Achieve" mean?

"Achieve" means to succeed at reaching or accomplishing (a goal, result, etc.) especially through effort. As a verb, it is defined as: to succeed at reaching or accomplishing (a goal, result, etc.) especially through effort. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Achieve"?

Other words for "Achieve" include attain, bag, chalk up, clock (up), gain, hit, log and make. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Achieve" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Achieve"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Achieve". Common alternatives include attain, bag, chalk up, clock (up), gain, hit, log, make, notch (up) and rack up.

How do you use "Achieve" in a sentence?

Examples of "Achieve" in a sentence: "finally achieved stardom"; "finally achieved his purpose, which was to form a first-class boys' choir made up of inner-city kids".

Is "Achieve" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Achieve" is a verb.

Is "Achieve" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Achieve" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Achieve"?

"Achieve" is pronounced /ə-ˈchēv/.

What is the origin of the word "Achieve"?

"Achieve" comes from Middle English acheven, borrowed from Anglo-French achever "to complete, carry out, succeed," from a-, prefix forming telic and transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -chever, verbal derivative from chef, chief "end, head" chief:3. First known use: 14th centuryi.